This really sucks as I think Newton played pretty well considering the circumstances last year and I really had high hopes for him next season. We have to consider the source though. What does McClain mean by major surgery, total reconstruction of the knee, or a simple scoping and clean out? I wish we had more info..

He wasn't great last season, but when you consider he was a 7th round draft pick playing in what was essentially his rookie year, in his actual rookie year he only had 17 snaps in the entire season, and playing next to a rotating RG situation that had no stability filled with rookies that couldn't help him, he wasn't that bad. He only gave up 3 sacks in pass protection. His run blocking leaves a bit to be desired and he's got obvious room to grow there. He's got potential at the RT position if folks will just cut the guy a break.

He wasn't great last season, but when you consider he was a 7th round draft pick playing in what was essentially his rookie year, in his actual rookie year he only had 17 snaps in the entire season, and playing next to a rotating RG situation that had no stability filled with rookies that couldn't help him, he wasn't that bad. He only gave up 3 sacks in pass protection. His run blocking leaves a bit to be desired and he's got obvious room to grow there. He's got potential at the RT position if folks will just cut the guy a break.

Well said. everyone was ready to throw brown to the curb after a couple of seasons. A lot of guys have no patience. He will get better and there is no way gary will just scrap him. Now RG is another story due to health alone.....I still think they will add a little depth and thats it to the oline, our starts will remain the same as we ended last season.

He wasn't great last season, but when you consider he was a 7th round draft pick playing in what was essentially his rookie year, in his actual rookie year he only had 17 snaps in the entire season, and playing next to a rotating RG situation that had no stability filled with rookies that couldn't help him, he wasn't that bad. He only gave up 3 sacks in pass protection. His run blocking leaves a bit to be desired and he's got obvious room to grow there. He's got potential at the RT position if folks will just cut the guy a break.

Well said. everyone was ready to throw brown to the curb after a couple of seasons. A lot of guys have no patience. He will get better and there is no way gary will just scrap him. Now RG is another story due to health alone.....I still think they will add a little depth and thats it to the oline, our starts will remain the same as we ended last season.

I agree that Derek Newton is a valuable player for us right now, but I disagree that he'll be starting next year. Last offseason he beat out career journeyman Rashad Butler for the starting job. That shouldn't buy him more than 1 season starting. He, along with the rotation at RG, were the obvious weaknesses of our line. I think we've got to shore up the RT spot in round 2-4, and Newton should have to beat that guy out._________________

He wasn't great last season, but when you consider he was a 7th round draft pick playing in what was essentially his rookie year, in his actual rookie year he only had 17 snaps in the entire season, and playing next to a rotating RG situation that had no stability filled with rookies that couldn't help him, he wasn't that bad. He only gave up 3 sacks in pass protection. His run blocking leaves a bit to be desired and he's got obvious room to grow there. He's got potential at the RT position if folks will just cut the guy a break.

i like newton, and i think he has potential, but he was still the weak link on our offensive line last season

He wasn't great last season, but when you consider he was a 7th round draft pick playing in what was essentially his rookie year, in his actual rookie year he only had 17 snaps in the entire season, and playing next to a rotating RG situation that had no stability filled with rookies that couldn't help him, he wasn't that bad. He only gave up 3 sacks in pass protection. His run blocking leaves a bit to be desired and he's got obvious room to grow there. He's got potential at the RT position if folks will just cut the guy a break.

i like newton, and i think he has potential, but he was still the weak link on our offensive line last season

im interested in bringing back winston if he will come cheap

+1

Winston wasn't a bad player for us, he was just too expensive to keep. Maybe he would be willing to come back for us.

He wasn't great last season, but when you consider he was a 7th round draft pick playing in what was essentially his rookie year, in his actual rookie year he only had 17 snaps in the entire season, and playing next to a rotating RG situation that had no stability filled with rookies that couldn't help him, he wasn't that bad. He only gave up 3 sacks in pass protection. His run blocking leaves a bit to be desired and he's got obvious room to grow there. He's got potential at the RT position if folks will just cut the guy a break.

i like newton, and i think he has potential, but he was still the weak link on our offensive line last season

im interested in bringing back winston if he will come cheap

+1

Winston wasn't a bad player for us, he was just too expensive to keep. Maybe he would be willing to come back for us.

Winston leaving wasn't all about money, let's remember that he has short arms and slow feet and he had alot of trouble with speed rushers. Here's some stats that I posted once before but will do so again. I used Winstons 2011 stats when he was a Texan, in our system, with our players, and coaching staff. I know these stats don't show anything about the running game and freely admit Newton isn't as good their, but very few players are great their first year on the field. Winston will most likely be quite expensive as well.

Quote:

Winston in 2011 had 7 penalties for 54 yds., and 7.5 sacks as a 6 yr. vet playing next to Brisiel, another veteran player.

Newton in 2012 had 7 penalties for 41 yds., and 4 sacks as an essential rookie playing next to another rookie.

Third, IIRC some of Winston's penalties were for being "our offensive pitbull" (i.e. you take a late shot at my QB or RB and I'm going to try to put your facemask in your throat).

Not trying to mitigate anything Newton has done, but put it into context.

That being said, it doesn't look like Eric's coming back here (Miami has the money. the opportunity, he played college ball at UM, and Sherman is the OC). I would still like some competition for Newton b/c I am not completely sold... yet. (Edit: not to take anything away from a 7th round pick from the Sun Belt conference who ended his first season on IR and still managed to play better than 40%ish of other NFL RT's in his second season)